Local Sports

The third annual East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and is presented by Azalea Orthopedics and Texas Spine and Joint Hospital. It is sponsored by SPORTyler and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

Sports radio host David Smoak will emcee.

The guest speaker will be Larry Lacewell, Dallas Cowboys Director of Personnel Evaluation and former Director of College and Pro Scouting.

Thirty-seven East Texas area football programs are expected to be in attendance, including schools from Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Palestine, Gladewater, Van, and Kilgore, among others.

A student athlete from each school will receive a $250 scholarship.

"Supporting our young athletes is a key focus of SPORTyler," said Cindy Smoak, assistant vice president SPORTyler.

"We are excited once again to kickoff the 2008-09 football season with this special awards luncheon."

The "East Texas Team Community Service Award" will be presented to the football program with the most outstanding display of community service, and whose cumulative volunteer projects are determined to be the most impacting to their community. Last year's winner was the Longview Lobos.

"It is very important to SPORTyler that we recognize student athletes for their community involvement," Mrs. Smoak added.

The luncheon is open to the public and tickets are $20. For ticket reservations, please call 903-592-1661 x223.

Team Sponsors are Austin Bank, Arp State Bank, First State Bank Frankston, Firstbank, Quick N'Easy Car Wash, Ewert Law Firm, Henry & Peters, P.C., Prothro Wilhelmi and Company, Carter BloodCare, Allied Waste Services, Inc., Capital One Bank, TCMC, Inc., and Don's TV and Appliance.

Invited Schools include: All Saints Episcopal, Arp, Athens, Big Sandy, Bullard Brook Hill, Brownsboro, Bullard, Canton, Chapel Hill, Frankston, Gilmer, Grace Community, Henderson, Jacksonville, John Tyler, Kilgore College, Kilgore, King's Academy Christian School,

Also, Lindale, Longview, Navarro College, Palestine, Palestine Westwood, Pine Tree, Rusk, Robert E. Lee, Spring Hill, T.K. Gorman, Tatum, Texas College, Trinity Valley Community College, Troup, Tyler Junior College, Van, Whitehouse and Winona.